coexistence

Forms

coexistence f (plural coexistences)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French co- + existence.^[2][3][4][5] The TLFi compares its theological use with Medieval Latin coexsistentia (“coexisting, being united by an essential bond”), recorded from the 11th century.^[2] Littré relates it to the verb coexister.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLFi's first record is theological, in Maumont's translation of the works of Justin (1554); the word was rare before the end of the 17th century.^[2] Bloch and Wartburg, the GLLF (citing Viret) and the DHLF date it to 1560.^[7][8][5]

Semantic evolution

The word first served theology, for the existence together of the persons of the Trinity: Bossuet writes of the coexistence des trois personnes divines (1691).^[2] The general sense, “the fact of existing at the same time”, is dated by the TLFi to 1801, in Destutt de Tracy.^[2]

In politics coexistence pacifique is the principle of mutual tolerance between nations with opposed systems.^[4][9] The DHLF dates it to 1933, of relations between Moscow and the West, and says it spread after 1945 and later to other fields;^[5] the Petit Robert dates it to 1954, and the BHVF has the political use from 1953.^[4][10]

Timeline

• 1554 – First record, in a theological text.^[2]
• 1560 – Viret uses it.^[8]
• 1691 – Bossuet writes of the coexistence des trois personnes divines.^[2]
• 1801 – Destutt de Tracy uses it in the general sense.^[2]
• 1933 – Coexistence pacifique is used of relations between Moscow and the West.^[5]

Meanings

Noun

1. Simultaneous existence; the fact of existing together: la coexistence de deux règlements.^[4][11][9]
2. (history, politics) Coexistence pacifique: the principle by which states or blocs with opposed systems agree not to go to war.^[4][9][8]

Related words

• existence
• coexister
• exister

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
8. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
10. ^ Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
11. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)